Guilford County Hires New Human Services Director

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. -- Guilford County leaders have hired a director for the newly formed Department of Health and Human Services.

Joe Raymond, who is currently the Director of Forsyth County Department of Social Services, will start on Monday, August 18.

Raymond has more than 30 years of human services management experience.

Raymond told WFMY News 2, "I am excited about my selection as Guilford County's first Human Services Director. Consolidation provides opportunities to create more strategic, responsive and efficient human services that benefit consumers of services and taxpayers. I look forward to joining the Guilford County team and getting to work in mid August. In the meantime, my entire focus is on my current role in Forsyth County."

Raymond sent the following resignation letter to the Forsyth County DSS board:

It is with regret that I am writing to inform you of my resignation as Forsyth County Director of Social Services, effective August 15, 2014. It has been a privilege to have worked with you, this agency and this community.

Forsyth County Department of Social Services staff are dedicated human service professionals doing their best to provide effective and timely services to the most vulnerable populations in Forsyth County. During my 9 years as director, they have accomplished many incredible things (including serving more than 40,000 more customers annually since 2005) and have worked tirelessly in the face of a national economic recession to help provide economic support and safety to extremely vulnerable families, older adults and children. These accomplishments took place in a time of virtually unprecedented programmatic, budget and technological change.

The agency has many talented people who will continue to provide professional services during this transition. I want to thank all of the individuals in multiple county departments who support the department's work and especially Forsyth County Manager Dudley Watts, who always worked to support the agency as much as possible.

Finally, I want to express my appreciation for each and every DSS board member who supported me, this organization, and our staff. It has made my job truly enjoyable.